I’m honestly confused about how the writer is portraying the FL in these recent arcs. When the eunuch was reading…
She doesn’t know the ” Rules ” especially palace rule . Where exactly you want her to learn that ? she grew up in such a small remote village where most people don’t know those things.In Lin’an , Yan Zheng mostly though her how to act and what to say in front of the magistrate. She doesn’t even know how to even properly read( barely) . Unless someone receives the proper education to learn these rules and how to behave , they don’t know. She still needs to learn and will in later episodes.
iQiyi usually drop express when there are 4 eps remaining left
2 regular episodes for VIP + the remaining 4 express, for a total of 6 episodes. No other platform drops this amount of episodes at once. WeTV is usually 1 episode and the remaining 4, that's 5. Mango TV is the same as Youku's 1 episode for VIP and the remaining 3 episodes. When IQIYI drops 4 or 5 instead of 6, it is usually because either they bought the right or it is a co-production.
As a novel reader.. I kind of understand. This drama is actually female centric, the plot actually revolves around…
I understand the 'type' of show this is, and it is perfectly fine. I just disagree that 'female-centric' or 'male-centric' has to mean 'male lead or female lead as a background ornament.' ''You're focusing on his theoretical importance to the plot, but I’m talking about his agency as a character. When a legendary general and marquis is reduced to barely 20 minutes of screen time across two episodes, appearing only to drive the FL’s choices, he stops being a lead and starts being a plot device/side character. Saying he is 'useless' isn't a literal claim that he has zero purpose; it’s a critique of the writing. If the story can progress for nearly 80 minutes without one of its leads doing anything of substance, that’s a pacing failure. Look at a show like The Legend of the Female General. That is a textbook female-centric story, yet it never had this issue. It managed to keep the FL at the centre while still allowing the ML to be a competent, active participant with his own presence. I’m not asking for a 50/50 spotlight, but I am asking for the character we were sold in the first half of the drama to actually show up. A strong FL doesn't need a sidelined ML to rise, and a strong ML doesn’t need a sidelined FL to shine either; the best dramas let both characters be competent and present. "And no, strong and powerful doesn’t equal screen time and fighting scenes. Nowhere in my comment did I say that.
As a novel reader.. I kind of understand. This drama is actually female centric, the plot actually revolves around…
You don’t understand what I’m saying. I have watched plenty of Female centric drama before.
In this case , since episode 1 , they been selling us the strong and powerful Marquis. They watered down his character so much. I have no issue with the plot being around her.
My issue is when one of the main leads , starts becoming useless. We barely see him and when we do it’s barely for 2-3 minutes. It’s like the character has no purpose anymore, he just there to fight with fl sometimes, reconcile and cuddle. Since episode 1 , they been selling us this strong and powerful Marquis. Like such an important general and fighter etc.. I at least expected him to have a good fighting scene or something. I watched plenty of female centric drama and male centric drama where both lead had plenty of screen time.It’s still possible to do without changing the plot. I would still complain if it’s was the other way around.
Joke aside , I agree with you
When a legendary general and marquis is reduced to barely 20 minutes of screen time across two episodes, appearing only to drive the FL’s choices, he stops being a lead and starts being a plot device/side character. Saying he is 'useless' isn't a literal claim that he has zero purpose; it’s a critique of the writing. If the story can progress for nearly 80 minutes without one of its leads doing anything of substance, that’s a pacing failure.
Look at a show like The Legend of the Female General. That is a textbook female-centric story, yet it never had this issue. It managed to keep the FL at the centre while still allowing the ML to be a competent, active participant with his own presence. I’m not asking for a 50/50 spotlight, but I am asking for the character we were sold in the first half of the drama to actually show up. A strong FL doesn't need a sidelined ML to rise, and a strong ML doesn’t need a sidelined FL to shine either; the best dramas let both characters be competent and present. "And no, strong and powerful doesn’t equal screen time and fighting scenes. Nowhere in my comment did I say that.
In this case , since episode 1 , they been selling us the strong and powerful Marquis. They watered down his character so much. I have no issue with the plot being around her.
My issue is when one of the main leads , starts becoming useless. We barely see him and when we do it’s barely for 2-3 minutes. It’s like the character has no purpose anymore, he just there to fight with fl sometimes, reconcile and cuddle. Since episode 1 , they been selling us this strong and powerful Marquis. Like such an important general and fighter etc.. I at least expected him to have a good fighting scene or something.
I watched plenty of female centric drama and male centric drama where both lead had plenty of screen time.It’s still possible to do without changing the plot. I would still complain if it’s was the other way around.